Page:The Jail, Experiences in 1916.pdf/83

 "I've been writing verses."

"Oh", and passed on to the next man.

At the third man he began to bellow. This one had been having a little scuffle in the room. The sergeant-major brandished his fist in front of his face, and threatened to chop him up.

After that he worked himself up into a temper a few times more.

When he had examined everybody, he made us line up, and ordered: "Don't move your left feet,—ruht (stand at ease)." Heavens, just like in the army, just like it used to be in the army.

The commandant of the jail, Lieutenant Colonel Werner, arrived.

"Habt Acht!" (attention.)

"What is your name, and why have you been arrested?"

I told him.

"Hm, hm,"—he said nothing else.

And with this hm, hm, he received all the members of today's batch. Only the sergeant-major flew into rage a few times more on his behalf.

We were ready.

And with this, all the formalities connected with our reception were finished, and I was now a regular member of the jail.

 

The commandant of the jail was the Lieutenant-Colonel, Mr. Werner, his adjutant was a major, the chief staff superintendent was the third in rank among the mighty men of this under-world. Each floor then had a visible head in its own special superintendent, but the sole decisive authority, the lord of all these lords, was the one who in rank followed then all—Alfred 